Absolutely every person can become infected with a skin fungus on their legs, and those who often go to the sauna, gym, swimming pool and similar places where this disease develops quickly are especially at risk.Not everyone knows how to get rid of foot fungus, even in the initial stages, when it is easiest to eliminate the disease.
Fungal infection: how it can happen
It is simple and difficult to become infected with a fungus at the same time, since its transmission occurs from an infected person to a healthy person, however, if the immune system functions normally, this reduces the likelihood of infection many times over.The following factors increase the likelihood of infection:
- Stressful situations;
- Wearing wet shoes that are not completely dry;
- If your feet sweat a lot and often;
- Reduced immunity;
- Use of antibiotics;
- Damage to the foot of various kinds (for example, calluses, wounds).
To protect yourself from nail and foot fungus, you should minimize the possibility of acquiring this infection.It is important not to forget in what places and under what circumstances the risk of infection appears.Keep in mind that nail fungus is an infectious pathology that can only be acquired from a person who already has it.The most common variants of infection include the following:
- The people you live with.In most cases, infection occurs from relatives.The fungus spreads through household items: hygiene products, floor coverings, slippers, socks.To protect yourself from infection, you should use only your personal belongings and avoid moving around the apartment with bare feet.
- There are many situations where fungal infection occurs in places where people relax en masse, without shoes.These places include: beaches, baths, wrestling sections (sometimes training takes place barefoot).Don’t forget, fungal spores are highly resistant to temperature fluctuations and can remain on the floor for a long period of time, after which they end up on your feet.
- There are much fewer situations where infection occurs from socks or shoes purchased not so long ago.The fungus can take root on them even at the factory where these items were produced, but there is a high probability of picking up this infection when trying on these items.Think about this - you don’t know if a healthy person tried on the shoes or sneakers you liked.
Diagnostic measures for suspected fungal infection
Many people have a desire to detect an infection when it will not be so difficult to get rid of it.However, the point is that nail fungus does not develop quickly on the feet, i.e.it is difficult to detect.Only those who pay special attention to the health of their feet and have certain experience can see it clearly in the first stages of its spread.
Initially, the nail receives barely noticeable spots or stripes; they vary quite a bit in color, but almost no one pays attention to this.There are no discomfort or other symptoms.At this stage, it is best to opt for traditional methods of combating fungal infections, rather than using medications.
With the further spread of the disease, the previously appeared spots acquire a different color, and their size only increases.Discomfort occurs, and the skin around the nail plate begins to itch.The nail plate thickens a little and becomes loose, sometimes cracking.At this stage, it is still possible to treat the infection at home.However, the brighter the symptoms of the fungus, the greater the likelihood that there will be a need to visit a specialist.Next, the skin begins to turn red, its color changes, and the nail plate thickens so much that it is simply impossible not to notice it.
At what point should you start treating fungus?
How to get rid of foot fungus?Treatment of a fungal infection takes a lot of time, and the results in case of untimely initiation of appropriate therapy include both the presence of discomfort, as well as an aesthetic problem, and the continuous impact of the infection on the body as a whole.
It is important to promptly identify an infection that has the following signs:
- The feet itch, sometimes there is a burning sensation;
- Feet begin to smell bad;
- The feet become dry and the skin peels off.
If such symptoms are noticed, it is necessary to urgently visit a dermatologist, who will prescribe certain tests and make the correct diagnosis.After a full examination, the doctor will advise you on how to eliminate the fungal infection as quickly as possible.
Fungal infection: how to recover completely
Treatment of the disease with medications usually involves the use of antifungal medications, which include the following substances:
- Ketaconazole;
- Griseofulvin;
- Terbinafine;
- Fluconazole.
The course of therapy is quite long, and in very advanced situations reaches 6 months.Medicines whose effect is aimed at combating fungal infections when taken orally have a huge number of adverse reactions and contraindications for use, for this reason their use should be monitored by a doctor.
Systemic therapy is combined with local treatment of a fungal disease, and includes the use of a variety of means, for example: solutions, gels, creams, ointments, and so on.
Only with a low degree of skin damage by fungus or if there are contraindications to the use of any medications, treatment consists exclusively of using products for external use.
During the treatment of a fungal infection of the feet, it is necessary to throw in the trash all those items that were in use before the treatment procedure began and may well be carriers of the fungus: foot brushes, rugs in the bathroom, tights, socks, and even your favorite sneakers.There is another option to properly disinfect these items using chlorine-containing compounds.In order not to “share” your problem with your household, use only personal hygiene items.
Therapeutic varnishes as a remedy for fungus
If a fungal infection has just been identified and its stage is not the most critical, then treatment can only consist of the use of special varnishes.
Initially, this composition causes the softening of the nail plate affected by the infection, and after that, influencing fungal spores, it begins to eliminate them.
The key requirement when treating the nail plate with varnish is that you must strictly adhere to the instructions, because it specifies the nuances of using this product.
In most cases these are the following:
- Before using the medicinal varnish, you should remove all peeling layers from the nail.For this purpose, you can use a special file - it is included with the varnish.
- Next, you need to disinfect the surface - for this, use a solution of alcohol and water.
- Only after all the processes described above can you apply varnish to the infected nail.
Fungus on the feet: preventive measures
Here are some tips for preventing fungus:
- You should purchase only high-quality and comfortable shoes;
- Wash your feet daily;
- Pay due attention to the condition of your nails and skin on your feet;
- When in public places, do not walk barefoot.
As you may have noticed, it is better to prevent a fungal infection from appearing or to start treating it on time than to neglect it, because then the situation will only become more complicated, and the treatment procedure itself will take much longer.
Do you still think that it is difficult to get rid of fungus quickly?
An advanced stage of the disease can cause irreversible consequences, such as gangrene, blood poisoning.Often the life of a person with an advanced stage can only be saved by amputation of a limb.
Under no circumstances should the disease be started!